Hey, what's up, guys? Ramadan is here again! This means the ever-popular "30 Days, 30 Ramadan Recipies" by home chef Khairulamingis here too. Called the "Khairulaming effect", any ingredients featured in his videos would surely sell out the next day. His videos are popular because the ingredients are easily accessible and the recipes are easy enough that any novice cook can make them! Since his recipes are mostly for buka puasa, why not try these easy recipes for sahur and pretend you're starring in your own cooking show? Here are seven recipes to try - one for each day of the week. We've made sure the recipes are easy to prepare (some just need one pot!) cos honestly, no one wants to cook up a storm at four in the morning.
P.S. Need more ideas on what to prepare for your Sahur and Iftar meals? Join our Hello Ramadan 2023 event for new recipe drops every week!
1. Shakshuka
Credit: Sara Dubler on Unsplash
Shakshuka is perfect for sahur because it’s a filling and nutritious meal that’s easy to make. It’s made with eggs, which are a great source of protein, and tomatoes, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. The spices used in shakshuka (such as cumin, paprika, and chilli powder) also add flavour and help to keep you feeling full throughout the day. Plus, it’s a one-pan dish that doesn’t require a lot of prep work or clean-up!
Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- ¼ teaspoon of chilli powder
- 1 can of whole peeled tomatoes
- 6 large eggs
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
- Bread or pita
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic and sauté for a few minutes until they’re soft.
- Add canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices (such as cumin, paprika, and chilli powder) to the pan. Stir everything together and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Use a spoon to make small wells in the tomato sauce. Crack an egg into each well.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes until the eggs are cooked to your liking.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or pita.
2. Smoothie bowl
A smoothie bowl is a nutritious food and suitable for sahur because it is easily digested and provides enough energy to carry out daily activities. In addition, a smoothie bowl is also easy to make and can be adjusted to taste. There are many smoothie bowl recipes that can be tried such as fruit smoothie bowls or vegetable smoothie bowls. However, make sure to choose healthy and nutritious ingredients such as fresh fruits, green vegetables, grains, and low-fat milk.
Ingredients:
- Frozen mixed berries
- Ripe Banana
- Toppings: fresh fruits, granola, nuts or seeds
- Low-fat milk (or replace with non-dairy milk of your choice)
Instructions:
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 small ripe banana (sliced and frozen)
- 2-3 Tbsp light coconut or almond milk (plus more as needed)
Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency. Pour into a bowl and top with your favourite toppings such as fresh fruit, granola, nuts, or seeds. Enjoy!
3. Avocado toast
Credit: Fernanda Martinez on Unsplash
Avocado toast is a great option for sahur because it is a good source of healthy fats and fibre. Avocados are also considered brain food, so having avocado toast occasionally for breakfast can help you improve your brain health. However, it’s important to keep in mind that avocado toast alone may not provide enough energy to carry out daily activities. You can add toppings like eggs, fruits, vegetables, seasonings, and more to make it more filling and nutritious
Ingredients:
- Bread (wholemeal or sourdough, up to you!)
- Ripe avocado
- Salt and pepper
- Eggs
- Optional toppings: sliced tomatoes, red pepper flakes, feta cheese, etc.
Instructions:
- Toast bread in a toaster or toaster oven.
- Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Scoop out the flesh into a bowl.
- Mash avocado with a fork until desired consistency is reached.
- Spread mashed avocado onto each slice of toast.
- Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.
- Add optional toppings if desired.
4. Chicken and cranberry sandwich
Credit: Leanna Myers on Unsplash
This super easy and yummy sandwich is perfect for the whole family! It's balanced - there's protein, there are vegetables and it's also yummy thanks to the dried cranberries and avocado. Perfect meal for sahur that will fill you for the whole day! Psst... prepare the filling the night before and in the morning just pop your bread in the toaster. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Ingredients:
- Wholemeal or sourdough bread
- Shredded chicken (cooked by air-frying or grilling)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Avocado
- Baby spinach
- Dried cranberries
- Capsicum
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon juice
- Salt & pepper
- Chilli flakes
Instructions:
- Chop the cherry tomatoes, avocado and capsicum into cubes and put them in a salad bowl
- Add the shredded chicken, baby spinach and dried cranberries
- Squeeze in some lemon juice
- Add mayonnaise and season with salt & pepper
- Add in the chilli flakes if you want some spiciness to go with it and then mix it all together to make a filling
- Toast your bread, add in the filling and enjoy!
5. One-pot pasta
Credit: Olayinka Babalola on Unsplash
Another one-pot meal recipe, this easy pasta recipe is quick, easy and versatile. You can even double the recipe and have it for buka puasa! Add in your favourite protein (we loved minced beef) to this fresh pasta dish and you're good to go!
Ingredients:
- 170g spaghetti
- 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 3/4 big red onion thinly sliced
- 3 sprigs of fresh basil
- 170g cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- Pinch of dried chilli or 1 slice red chilli
- Pinch of dried oregano
- 2 1/2 cups veggie or chicken stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese to serve
Instructions:
- Place everything in a shallow pot
- Bring to a boil and cook while covered for 5 minutes
- Simmer and cook covered until pasta is al dente. The pasta water and tomatoes would have reduced into a silky sauce, but add some more water and stir if you prefer.
- Season with more salt, if required, and serve with grated cheese.
6. One-pan chicken fried rice
Credit: Christopher Alvarenga on Unsplash
Rice is life! Some people can't live without rice (we hear ya!) so here's an easy one-pan chicken fried rice that you can prep the night before. Just heat it up when you're ready to eat for sahur.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup chopped carrot
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
- Heat canola and sesame oils in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrot and green onion; cook and stir until carrot is tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in rice, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring only once or twice, until rice is lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in chicken and peas; cook for 2 minutes.
- Push the rice mixture to the sides of the pan, creating a circle in the middle. Add butter to the centre of the pan. When melted, stir everything together until well combined.
- Enjoy!
7. Vegetarian lasagna
Credit: micheile henderson on Unsplash
Okay, don't freak out yet. The article title did say it's easy sahur recipes and we're here for it. This vegetarian lasagna may have a longer ingredient list, but trust us, it's so easy that any Italian nonna would be proud of it. The best part is, you can make a big batch and you've got your sahur meals prepared!
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
- 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) of tomato basil pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 6 no-cook lasagna noodles, broken
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillets over medium-high heat.
- Add zucchini and mushrooms; cook until softened, 2-3 minutes.
- Add onion and garlic; cook until vegetables are tender, 2-3 minutes.
- Add pasta sauce, water and seasonings.
- Stir to combine; add broken noodles.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until noodles are tender, about 15 minutes.
- Top with mozzarella and, if desired, Parmesan cheese.
- Broil until the cheese melts and starts to brown.
- If desired, sprinkle with basil.
Preparing sahur meals doesn’t have to be complicated. With these easy recipes, you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal before starting your fast. Whether you prefer sweet or savoury dishes, there’s something for everyone. So why not try something new this Ramadan and make your sahur meal a little more exciting?